February 12th, 2014 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on Make your own Make Up!)

There are tons of harmful chemicals in your makeup products. We know you already look great, but if you do want to wear makeup, you don’t need to compromise your health to do so. Now you can make all your own beauty products with things you may have in your home or can get from your local health food store. The health and beauty experts at Healthcheck Systems are bringing you a new series on how to have your makeup and enjoy good health too. Here are some lip balm recipes that come from the ebook, Eat My Makeup!

Melt the beeswax and the oil together over low heat in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, place a metal or glass bowl in a small pot of water. Now add the honey and lavender oil and stir gently. Pour into containers and allow to cool for 20 minutes before use.

Melt beeswax with avocado, almond and coconut oil in a double boiler over low heat. Remove from heat and add essential oil and vitamin E. Stir well and pour into containers. Leave to cool for 20 minutes before you use it.

Get all of the products you and your family need to live a healthy life from Healthcheck Systems. They have products for baby, toys for kids, fitness products for you and health products the whole family can enjoy.

February 12th, 2014 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on Make your own natural Mascara)

If you like to wear makeup, but are concerned about the chemicals it contains and about animal testing, then you are not alone. Many women are turning to natural products and makeup as an alternative that better suits a healthy lifestyle. We think you look great just the way you are, but if you are going to wear makeup, we want you to be safe. That’s why the experts at HealthCheck Systems are bringing you a series on natural beauty products that you can make yourself in your kitchen.

To make your own mascara, you need a few ingredients which you can get from your local health food store (even the charcoal).

1 tsp coconut oil

1 1/2 tsp beeswax

1 tsp shea butter

4 tsp of aloe vera gel

1-2 capsules of activated charcoal

How to make it:

Put the coconut oil, beeswax shea and aloe vera in a small pot and heat very slowly over a very low heat. Stir continuously until all the ingredients have melted. Now take your pot off the stove and add the charcoal. Stir it really well. Use a funnel to pour the liquid into an old mascara tube. Before you reuse the old mascara tube, make sure you have sterilized it by leaving it in hot water.

If you don’t have a funnel, leave the mascara to cool a little, then pour it into a plastic bag. Cut a small hole in the plastic bag and squeeze the liquid into the mascara tube.

This is a great way to enjoy your makeup without the chemicals!

We know you are committed to helping you and your family to live a healthy lifestyle. Now you can get all your health and fitness products from HealthCheck Systems.com.

January 31st, 2014 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on 6 Easy ways to Speed up your Metabolism)

You want to speed up your metabolism because it helps you to access more energy from your food and it also helps to burn more calories in a day. A sluggish metabolic rate will leave you feeling fatigued and will make it extremely difficult to lose weight.

Spice up your life

Chili peppers, jalapenos and other hot pepper varieties contain capsicum which really gets your metabolism going. In fact, your metabolism increases by a whopping 25% after you have enjoyed a spicy meal. This increased metabolic rate lasts for up to 2 hours after a meal. You can add cayenne pepper and chilies to your meals, cayenne pepper to your hot beverages and hot sauce to your sandwiches.

Apple cider vinegar

This mild vinegar also helps to get your motor running. You can enjoy apple cider vinegar on your salads or drink two teaspoons in a cup of warm water twice a day. Can’t stand the taste? You can get apple cider vinegar tablets from your local health food store.

Get moving

Exercise increases your metabolism. You can start with gentle exercises like walking and yoga, but the more aerobic the exercise, the more it improves your metabolism. It’s also important to keep moving throughout the day, so take mini breaks and stretch or walk around.

Cool down

Turn your thermostat down from 21 to 17 degrees. This will help you to burn an extra 300 calories a day. As your body cools, your metabolism kicks in to help warm you up so you can lose weight and save on energy.

Increasing your metabolism and moving more will help you to lose weight too. You can follow your progress on a bathroom scale from Healthcheck Systems. They have the widest selection at the best prices.

January 6th, 2014 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on Are you Overweight? Use the BMI to find your ideal weight)

What is your ideal weight? Don’t look to the unrealistic and healthy examples set by the fashion and beauty industry for inspiration on your ideal weight. Instead you need to find the perfect percentage of body fat to ensure a healthy figure.

Nutrition has a profound effect on your health. If you are getting too few nutrients and not eating enough, you can suffer from kidney problems, bone density issues, poor immunity and premature aging. Eating too many calories can result in obesity which has an equally negative effect on health and results in diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol and blood pressure issues.

You need to find the weight that suits your height and provides you with a healthy, attainable target that you can strive towards. The best way to find the body fat percentage that will result in your idea weight is to utilize the body mass index or BMI.

The BMI index works as follows:

Underweight: Below 18.5

Normal: 18.5-25

Overweight: 25-30

Obese: Above 30

Use calipers to measure you by clamping folds of skin on various places on your body. You can also use bioelectrical impedance which is a more accurate measure of your body fat. Here an electrical current is run through the body and the speed with which is moves indicates the amount of fat in the body. These are a feature on high end bathroom scales.

Once you know your BMI, you can more accurately determine your idea weight using the BMI index below:

January 2nd, 2014 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on Lose That Holiday Weight in Four Easy Steps)

Over the festive season, everyone is inclined to overindulge. If you have been tucking into the eggnog and gingerbread cookies, you may need to start the New Year with a healthy eating plan that will see you back to your ideal weight in no time at all. The secret to losing weight and keeping it off is to practice healthy eating and exercise regimens rather than fad diets.

Don’t say the ‘D’ word

Diets are awful. The very word fosters dread and when you constrain yourself to a diet, you are more likely to cheat. Diets also get us into the mindset that resources are limited and this encourages binge eating. Instead of using the dreaded ‘D’ word, focus on healthy eating instead. Eat seven helpings of fruit and vegetables every day and drink 8 glasses of water. Filling up on healthy foods will make it less likely that you will require snacks.

Positive affirmation

When you go on a diet, you are focused on all the negative things about your body. You need to focus instead on the things you love about your body. When you catch yourself thinking something negative about yourself, stop and change that thought to something positive.

Have fun

Be nice to yourself, take long baths, play your favorite music, treat yourself to a manicure. When you start to value yourself and feel like you deserve the best, you will start to feed yourself better too.

You like to move it!

Part of having fun and being kind to yourself is exercise. You don’t have to sweat it out in the gym and hate every moment of it – instead you can go for a swim, take a walk with a friend, have a ½ hour dance party at home or do yoga.

Once your baby has arrived, you will want to be getting back into shape. The most important thing to remember is; don’t diet! If you are nursing, your baby needs their nutrients to grow strong and healthy and you need to regain your strength. Not eating well may delay your recovery and affect your baby’s development. Instead, just use these great tips and you’ll be back to your pre-baby weight in no time at all.

Breastfeeding

This is a great way to lose weight naturally. About 300 of the calories you consume each day will go to producing healthy breast milk for baby. If you are returning to work, then use a breast pump to keep your body producing milk.

Get moving

Of course you’re tired, but getting some exercise will help you to shed the pounds and will improve your metabolism. When you exercise you will feel stronger and healthier. Incorporate exercise into your daily routine so that you don’t have to make special time for it. If baby is struggling to fall asleep, go for a walk or a job in the park with the stroller. Do yoga or aerobics while baby is talking a nap or walk to the shop instead of driving.

Buddy up

Yes its hard to find the time to exercise, but walking or running with a friend is a great way to ensure that you stick to an exercise regimen. If you want to go to the gym, then find a friend who shares your exercise ambitions. Take turns to babysit so that the other one can go to an exercise class or hit the treadmills.

Be realistic

Celebrity moms bounce back to their pre-baby weight in no time at all, but they have personal trainers, chefs and nanny’s to help them. You should expect to take a little longer to reach your goal weight. You should also make allowances for the fact that having a baby will change your body shape permanently.

Always remember to take care of yourself first. A healthy body is much better than a super skinny one, so take your time and move at your own pace.

I am sure you have all tried a bunch of different diets, weight loss plans and some may have even tried pills to lose weight. At the end of the day, there is no shortcut to weight loss. Studies have shown that fad diets do allow you to lose weight quickly, but you will just put it back on as soon as the diet is over. What you really need is slow, healthy weight loss that is a result of the adoption of healthy eating habits that will become part of your new lifestyle.

Slowly does it

Forget the fast track; ditch the deadlines and simply decide to live a healthy life. When you look back on yourself in a year’s time, you won’t believe the difference. Like all things, drastic changes are probably not something you will be sticking to. Denying yourself all your favorite things and cutting back heavily on your calorie intake is unlikely to render long-term results. Instead, make slow changes and adopt one new habit every month.

Get moving

You have to move more. That doesn’t mean you have to exercises that you hate and which you will never stick to. Instead, find things you enjoy doing and slowly start including them in your daily routine. Take a walk around the block when you get home from work, or walk to the store on the weekend instead of driving. When you stop driving everywhere and start walking or biking, you will soon make it part of your lifestyle.

Do yoga, or play a sport, swim or play with your kids, move into a home with a garden or get a dog; make changes to your lifestyle that slowly get you out and active. It relieves stress, improves health and mobility.

Cut it out

Slowly start to cut out things that you shouldn’t be eating. When you take something out, put something healthy in its place. Replace sugar with stevia and butter with avocadoes. When you find healthy substitutes for foods which aren’t good for you, you don’t feel deprived and you are more likely to stick to your new regimen.

Its all about finding the balance that works for you. You already know what you have to do to live a healthy life; eat well and exercise. Now integrate this new lifestyle slowly so you have time to still enjoy your life and adapt to a healthier way of living.

October 1st, 2013 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on Have your Cake and Eat it Too!)

Is your sweet tooth getting the better of you? You can have your desserts and eat them too if you follow these amazing recipes from Healthcheck Systems. Now you can lose weight and still enjoy your after dinner treats with these great dessert recipes.

Cut the strawberries into slices. Put a ¼ cup cold water in the bottom of a cup and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Allow to stand until it softens. Whisk together ¼ cup water, sugar, lemon rind, lemon juice, olive oil and the egg until stiff. Whisk in the gelatin. Layer the mouse and the strawberry slices and cool until set (about 3 hours.)

Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside for later use. In a skillet, heat the almonds gently over a medium heat until they start to smell sweetly. Set aside. Whisk egg whites to peaks, then slowly add confectioner’s sugar and salt, whisking constantly. Fold in 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup of the toasted almonds. Place large scoops of the meringue mixture on the parchment. Sprinkle the remaining toasted almonds on the top of the meringues. Bake in the oven at 200°F for two hours. Turn off the oven and leave the meringues to dry overnight. You can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Makes 18 meringues and each one contains 112 calories and 3g of fat.

August 28th, 2013 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on How to Lose your Baby Weight)

Every new mother wants to get back in shape after their baby has arrived, but post baby weight loss must be done in a safe, healthy way. If you are breastfeeding, you want to make sure that you and your baby are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need. Opt for a weight loss program that lets you lose weight slowly so that you can keep it off. Here are some tips from the pros on how to get back into shape the healthy way.

Don’t diet too soon

After the pregnancy and delivery, your body needs time to recuperate. This means that you shouldn’t even think of dieting until at least six weeks after your baby has been born. If you are nursing, you will want to wait until your baby is at least two months old before thinking of reducing your calorie intake.

Dieting too soon will delay your recovery and may result in fatigue. You may also compromise your milk supply if you drastically reduce your calorie intake. Instead, eat regular healthy meals and you may be surprised at how much weight you lose naturally.

A new baby and tons of things to do make it difficult to find time to prepare yourself healthy meals. Skipping meals slows down your metabolism and encourages your body to store fat. Eat regularly and always plan ahead. Try making larger meals when you do cook so that you can pack extra food into containers in the freezer for the rest of the week. Try to eat at least three healthy meals a day to keep your energy levels up and your metabolism running.

Get moving

Its really difficult to find the time to work out when you have a newborn. That’s why you need to work exercise into your daily routine. Take baby for long walks or jogs in the park. You can both use a little fresh air and moving more will help you to reduce stress and lose some weight.

The important thing to remember is that slow, steady weight loss is the healthy way to get back to your pre-baby weight. You also need to remember that having a baby will change your body, so your expectations should be realistic.

July 17th, 2013 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on 3 Bad Habits that Lead to Weight Gain)

If you are regularly disappointed by what your scale is saying, it may be time to stop counting calories and start changing your habits. Some behavior leads to binge eating and weight gain and changing these, rather than going on a diet, is the real secret to sustained weight loss.

Drinking alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most calorie-rich things you can consume. If you are having more than one drink a night, stop it! Not only does drinking increase your calorie intake, it also lowers your will power which means you are more likely to get those chicken wings on the way home from the bar. Moderate drinking is fine, but keep it down to one or two drinks a day.

Identify your weak points

Maybe its snacking in front of the TV, or you’re eating continuously while you cook, maybe you let yourself binge when you eat out and you eat out often. Whatever your weak points are, make sure that you identify which behaviors trigger binge eating and change them. Don’t watch so much TV, do something else and institute a rule that says no eating after 7. Don’t snack while you’re cooking. Plan your meals on a Sunday and do all your shopping over the weekend so that you don’t end up at 7pm with no food in the fridge with you too tired to shop and cook. That way you’ll eat less take out.

Get more sleep

More and more studies are confirming the link between obesity and lack of sleep. Getting enough sleep helps your body to stabilize sugar levels, repair and produce the hormones you need to keep an even keel. If you are struggling to fall asleep, try moderate exercise and no snacking after 7!

Diet all you want, but if you just go back to eating the same way when you’ve reached your goal weight, you will never keep off the pounds. Small changes to the habits that make you eat in the first place will ensure that you get that weight off and keep it off. Get moving, get sleeping and good luck!